Last updated January 13, 2023
The pandemic and what we know about COVID-19 prevention, vaccination and treatment continues to change.
KEY STRATEGIES: STAY SAFE, STAY INFORMED!
Stay informed by visiting the NCDHHS COVID-19 dashboard and the NCDHHS COVID-19 Information Hub.
Stay safe by making sure you’re up to date with your vaccines, testing early and seeking treatment if eligible.
1. Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines
CDC updates on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, available for everyone six months and older.
Children ages 6 months through 4 years are up to date if:
- They have healthy immune systems and received three shots of the lower-dose Pfizer vaccine or two shots of the lower-dose Moderna vaccine and the updated vaccine that protects against variants at least two months later.
Children ages 5 to 11 years who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are up to date if:
- They have healthy immune systems and received two shots of the lower-dose vaccine and it’s too soon for them to get the updated vaccine, or
- They received two shots of the lower-dose vaccine and an updated vaccine two months later.
People ages 12 and older are up to date if:
- They have healthy immune systems and received two shots of the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax vaccine or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and it’s too soon for them to get an updated vaccine, or
- They received two shots of the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax vaccine or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and an updated vaccine two months after their last shot or any booster.
2. TEST EARLY
COVID-19 rapid tests are readily available. Early testing leads to early treatment and reduced exposure for others.
- Check the expiration dates of your COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits. Many of the expiration dates have been extended. The new expiration date is easy to find online by searching the test kit type and lot number. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
- Find where you can get tested now or pick up tests to take at home.
3. COVID-19 TREATMENT (for people with high-risk conditions)
Early testing leads to early treatment and reduced exposure for others.
- Find a test-to-treat location
- Make a no-cost telemedicine appointment through StarMed online or by calling 704-941-6000 (available in Spanish).